Match Reports

QPR 0-1 Albion

An image of Kyle Bartley celebrating with his teammates at QPR

Kyle Bartley’s second half header was the difference at Loftus Road as Albion beat QPR 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies put in a resolute defensive showing, and were clinical when their chance came, on their way to claiming back-to-back league wins for the first time this season - giving Carlos Corberàn his second victory since taking charge less than two weeks ago.

Albion return to action next Saturday when they host Stoke City – their final fixture ahead of the World Cup break.

The boss made two changes to his starting XI, bringing Erik Pieters, Jayson Molumby and Grady Diangana in for Conor Townsend, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and the injured Karlan Grant.

And his team began the game well. Diangana might have done better with an awkward close-range rebound early on before John Swift had one deflected past the post and Darnell Furlong headed a corner off-target – all in the opening 15 minutes.

The hosts then grew into the contest and created two decent opportunities ahead of half-time, but former Albion youth player Tim Iroegbunam fired wide and Alex Palmer superbly denied Lydon Dykes’ low shot, ensuring it was goalless at the break.

Following a reasonably quiet start to the second period, where QPR had the majority of possession, it was Albion who took the lead on 68 minutes.

Bartley roamed forward and won a free-kick deep in QPR’s half, which Swift curled straight onto his head and home – sending the 1,400 travelling Baggies supporters wild.

QPR pushed for an equaliser as time ticked away, though Palmer remained untroubled as Albion held firm to earn an important three points.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, O’Shea, Pieters (Townsend 84); Molumby, Yokuslu (Livermore 90); Wallace (Gardner-Hickman 90), Swift, Diangana (Thomas-Asante 64); Phillips (Reach 84).

Substitutes: Button, Rogic.